From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone Read Online Free PDF Page A

bargain basement square coffee table and paused. “Emily darling, you best make sure you go into this with both eyes open. I see that dreamy look you’re trying your damnedest to hide from me. Don’t forget, you’ve just kicked out a good -for-nothing dog. You’re vulnerable; guys, predators who’re up to no good, read that, and will take advantage. Make sure this stays business. Because right now you’re on the rebound and I know you’re dreaming about meeting a real man, except you need time to heal first. So you best hide that googly-eyed drool and forget you think he’s the finest-looking man you’ve ever seen, so he doesn’t go and take advantage of you.”
    Emily felt the downy hair on the back of her neck rise like thorny barbed wire. How could Gina say something like that to her? So what if it was true? She couldn’t shake the irritation caused by Gina’s blunt implication that she was so much of a ditz that she’d check her brains and fall at this guy’s feet. Emily had good sense and sound judgment. How dare Gina?
    “Oh , knock off the wounded pride thing.” Gina hadn’t moved, though the kettle still shrilled in the kitchen. So Emily gripped the arm of the rocker and started to get up.
    “Sit down, Em. As your friend, I have the right to point out some potentially dangerous pitfalls. Friends watch each other’s back, especially when we’ve checked our heads in the nearest closet. This hot -to-trot arrogant guy’s your boss. You make sure you protect yourself. He sounds volatile, and men like that can be real jerks. You’re living in his house. Different rules apply. A mutual respect, for one. Katy will be there; make sure it stays comfortable for her.”
    Gina leaned down and kissed Emily on the forehead, and then raced into the kitchen to silence the piercing kettle. Emily closed her eyes and rocked. When Emily opened her eyes, her bright blue-eyed angel watched her , as if she understood every word and knew what sudden change was about to happen.
    Emily reached out her overworked hand with short, square nails and torn cuticles—a hand she knew would never be featured on any ivory dish soap commercial. They were dry, plain and serviceable. But her darling Katy didn’t care. They were filled with love , and that’s all Katy wanted as she gripped Emily’s fingers and climbed onto her mother’s lap.
    Gina called out from the kitchen. “So how soon do we move you?”
    Emily couldn’t keep the lightness from invading her voice. She smiled lovingly down on her daughter who rested her pinkish cheek against Emily’s full breast, her eyelids lowered, becoming too much of an effort to keep open, while she sucked her pacifier. “As soon as I can pack. Brad would like us there, like yesterday.”
    Gina reappeared through the archway dividing the kitchen from the small living and dining room. She leaned against the cheap looking white wall beside the fireplace as she frowned. She crossed her arms as a sharp twinkling of light sparked in her eyes, and then rubbed her chin with her index finger and thumb, back and forth, a telltale sign Gina was formulating plans.
    “I’m taking Katy to work with me tomorrow.”
    “Okay, I’ll make some calls, get people here to help pack. But that’s after you go to work tomorrow and, if all’s well and this turns out to be the blessing you so deserve, you can give notice to your landlord tomorrow night. Not before.”
    She was good, and Emily knew if there ever was a crisis, Gina was the one you wanted in your corner to handle things. A former secretary, producer and the driving force behind her husband’s successful glass shop. You were wise to hand her the keys and let her handle things. These mundane details could overwhelm Emily, whereas Gina could step in, dissect and arrange a sound viable plan, with color-coded categories highlighted on the notes she was sure to produce. Yah, she could hardly wait.
    * * * *
    The next morning before Bob left, Emily